Thanks to the collaboration and support of the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) and Lovin’ Spoonfuls, the ABCD North End/West End Neighborhood Service Center (NE/WE NSC) is able to give out full boxes of produce, meat, eggs, and canned and frozen vegetables to those who would find some groceries helpful.
Chronic diseases cause seven of every ten deaths each year in the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic diseases—such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity—are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health problems. Studies have shown that eating a healthy diet—meals rich in vegetables and fresh, not highly processed foods— can help prevent these diseases and support a healthy immune system.
“There are two categories of food that have gotten a bad name as being processed, but are actually really helpful for people who can’t shop often. That’s canned foods and frozen foods,” Kathleen Searles, a registered dietician and nutritionist says. “Fruits and vegetables are picked at their peak ripeness, and then they are canned right away, so there is very little loss of nutrients, and they may even be more helpful than let’s say a head of lettuce that has been laying around for few days at the grocery store.”
